CN115279596A

CN115279596A - Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the same

Info

Publication number: CN115279596A
Application number: CN202180019363.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山田享嗣
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-31
Filing date: 2021-03-26
Publication date: 2022-11-01
Also published as: US20230300275A1; EP4127836A1; JP2021160203A; US20210306516A1; EP4127836A4; US11706370B2; JP7432146B2; WO2021200703A1; US11483448B2; US20230019647A1

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a main body memory and a controller. The second upper limit information stored in the main body memory indicates an upper limit of the number of printable pages that the image forming apparatus is allowed to print in a state where the image forming apparatus is in an offline state. The number-of-printed-page information stored in the main body memory indicates the number of printed pages printed in the offline state. The controller is configured to: increasing the number of printed pages information by 1 in the case of printing one sheet of paper with single-sided printing; and increases the number of printed pages information by 2 in the case of printing one sheet in duplex printing. The controller is configured to determine whether the number-of-printed-pages information is greater than or equal to a second upper limit number of pages.

Description

Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the same

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof.

Background

The service is available to the user of the image forming apparatus, so that if there is a contract between the user and the service provider, a consumable or replaceable component dedicated to the contract can be used. Such services are referred to as "subscription services".

Patent document 1 discloses a printer (image forming apparatus) to which a subscription service can be applied. The image forming apparatus of patent document 1 receives a credit file from a subscription server. The credit file includes information indicating the number of printable sheets specified in the contract.

In a case where a subscription service application cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus of patent document 1, the image forming apparatus checks whether there is a sufficient amount of credit (i.e., the number of printable sheets) to print the number of pages indicated by the print job received at the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus determines that there is a sufficient amount of credit, the print job received at the image forming apparatus is executed.

[ citation list ]

[ patent document ]

[PTL 1]

U.S. unexamined patent application publication No. 2014/0355029

Disclosure of Invention

[ problem ] to

However, with the conventional image forming apparatus of patent document 1, in an offline state in which the image forming apparatus is not connected to the internet, the credit cannot be replenished to the image forming apparatus from the subscription server. Further, in the conventional image forming apparatus, it is determined whether there is a sufficient amount of credit to realize the printing process based on the print job. Thus, when the number of printed pages has reached the upper limit number of printed pages in printing, a determination is made such that the remaining credit is insufficient to complete the print job, with the result that printing can no longer be performed. For example, in a case where a print job instructing printing of 100 pages is received, printing of all 100 pages cannot be performed although there is still a credit of 99 pages.

As described, in the offline state, it may occur that the image forming apparatus cannot execute printing of the received job even if there are still credits that can print some number of pages smaller than the number of pages required to be printed by the print job. This causes inconvenience to the user because if credit can be used on a printed page basis, printing can be performed on the possible number of pages as long as credit exists.

In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to manage the number of printed pages while an image forming apparatus is in an offline state, while not losing user convenience as much as possible.

[ solution of problem ]

To achieve the above and other objects, according to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an image forming apparatus including an interface, a main body memory, and a controller. The interface is configured to communicate with a network. The main body memory is configured to store therein first upper limit information, second upper limit information, and print page number information. The first upper limit information indicates an upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the contents of the contract set in the image forming apparatus. The second upper limit information indicates an upper limit of the number of printable pages that the image forming apparatus is allowed to print in a state where the image forming apparatus is in an offline state where the interface cannot be connected to the network. The number-of-printed-pages information indicates the number of printed pages printed by the image forming apparatus in the offline state. In a state where the interface is in an offline state, the controller is configured to print according to the print job to print one or more sheets. When printing one sheet, the controller is configured to increase the number of printed pages information by 1 in a case where one sheet of paper is printed in single-sided printing, and increase the number of printed pages information by 2 in a case where one sheet of paper is printed in double-sided printing. After the increase of the number-of-printed-page information, the controller is configured to determine whether the number-of-printed-page information is greater than or equal to a second upper limit number of pages.

According to a second aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, in a case where the controller determines that the information of the number of printed pages is greater than or equal to a second upper limit number of pages, the controller subsequently prohibits printing in an offline state.

According to a third aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the controller resets the number-of-printed-page information to zero in a case where the state of the interface is changed from the offline state to the online state in which the interface is connected to the network.

According to a fourth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes a main body case formed with an opening, and the one or more cartridges are mountable in the main body case through the opening. Each of the cartridges has a first memory in which type information is stored, the type information indicating which of the contract-specific cartridge and the normal cartridge each of the cartridges is. The controller then allows printing in an offline state in a case where the type information of all of the one or more cartridges mounted to the main body case indicates that the one or more cartridges are all normal cartridges.

According to a fifth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the main body memory stores total print page number information indicating a total print page number printed irrespective of a connection state of the interface and the network. The controller is configured to determine whether or not the sum of the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages defined by the print job is greater than or equal to an upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information. In a case where the sum of the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages defined by the print job is less than the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information, the controller is configured to perform printing of the print job.

According to a sixth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the main body memory stores contract information indicating contents of a contract set for the image forming apparatus, the contract information indicating any one of: a first mode in which the image forming apparatus is under contract and printing is allowed in an offline state; a second mode in which the image forming apparatus is under contract and printing is not allowed in an offline state; and a third mode in which the image forming apparatus is not under contract.

According to a seventh aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus further comprises a printing unit configured to print on a sheet. In a state where the interface is in an offline state, the controller is configured to cause the printing unit to perform printing.

According to an eighth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the controller is configured to increase the number of printed pages information by 1 in a case where one sheet of paper is printed in single-sided printing and by 2 in a case where one sheet of paper is printed in duplex printing, each time one sheet is printed by the image forming apparatus.

According to a ninth aspect, the present disclosure also provides a method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: causing the image forming apparatus to print according to a print job to print one or more sheets in a state where the image forming apparatus is offline in which the image forming apparatus cannot be connected to a network; when printing one sheet, adding 1 to the number-of-printed-sheets information in the case of printing one sheet with single-sided printing, and adding 2 to the number-of-printed-sheets information in the case of printing one sheet with double-sided printing, the number-of-printed-sheets information indicating the number of printed sheets printed in an offline state; and determining whether the information of the number of printed pages is greater than or equal to an upper limit number of pages allowed to be printed in an offline state of the image forming apparatus after the information of the number of printed pages is increased.

According to a tenth aspect, in the method according to the ninth aspect, every time one sheet is printed, the number of printed sheets information is increased by 1 in the case of printing one sheet in single-sided printing, and the number of printed sheets information is increased by 2 in the case of printing one sheet in double-sided printing.

According to an eleventh aspect, the present disclosure also provides an image forming apparatus including an interface, a main body, and a controller. The interface is configured to communicate with a network. The main body memory is configured to store therein first upper limit information and total printed page number information. The first upper limit information indicates an upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the content of the contract set in the image forming apparatus. The total number of printed pages information indicates the number of printed pages to be printed. The controller is configured to print according to the print job to print one or more sheets. When printing one sheet, the total number of printed pages information is increased by 1 in the case of printing one sheet in single-sided printing, and by 2 in the case of printing one sheet in double-sided printing. After the increase of the total number of printed sheets information, the controller is configured to determine whether the total number of printed sheets information is greater than or equal to an upper limit of the number of printable sheets indicated by the first upper limit information.

According to a twelfth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, in a case where the controller determines that the total number of printed sheets is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable sheets indicated by the first upper limit information, the controller subsequently prohibits printing.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the image forming apparatus further comprises a printing unit configured to print on the sheet. The controller is configured to cause the printing unit to perform printing.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the controller is configured to increase the number-of-printed-sheets information by 1 in a case where one sheet is printed in single-sided printing and increase the number-of-printed-sheets information by 2 in a case where one sheet is printed in double-sided printing, each time one sheet is printed.

[ advantageous effects of the invention ]

According to the first aspect, when the image forming apparatus is in the offline state, the controller may determine whether the number of printed pages is greater than or equal to an upper limit of the number of printable pages defined by the second upper limit information. Here, the number of printed pages is counted each time the print processing is performed on one sheet of paper. Whether printing is duplex printing or single-sided printing, after performing print processing on one sheet of paper, the image forming apparatus may determine whether performing printing on one sheet results in the number of printed pages reaching a second upper limit number of pages indicating an upper limit of the number of pages printable by the image forming apparatus in an offline state.

Therefore, for example, even if more than one page will reach the second upper limit number of pages, the image forming apparatus does not determine whether the second upper limit number of pages is reached after printing only one side of one sheet and before printing the other side of the sheet. In other words, the image forming apparatus is not certain to reach the second upper limit number of pages while printing one sheet in duplex printing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can manage the number of printed pages during the offline state without losing user's convenience as much as possible.

According to the second aspect, in a case where the image forming apparatus determines that the number of pages to be printed in the offline state is greater than or equal to the prescribed upper limit, the image forming apparatus prohibits printing on subsequent sheets as a result of the printing process on the specific sheet. This can limit the number of pages that the image forming apparatus can print in the offline state.

According to the third aspect, the controller resets the number-of-printed-pages information to zero in a case where the state of the interface is changed from the offline state to the online state in which the interface is connected to the network.

According to the fourth aspect, all the cartridges currently attached to the image forming apparatus are normal type cartridges, and the image forming apparatus can approve printing in an offline state. By doing so, even in the image forming apparatus under contract, printing in an off-line state can be performed by replacing all the cartridges with normal cartridges. Therefore, user friendliness can be enhanced.

According to the fifth aspect, even if the print processing specified in the print job to be executed from now on is executed, when the number of print pages does not reach the upper limit of the number of printable pages, the image forming apparatus performs printing to print one sheet or a plurality of sheets. After the image forming apparatus performs printing to print one sheet or a plurality of sheets, an increment process is performed, and a first determination process is performed.

Therefore, in a state where the image forming apparatus is in an offline state, when the sum of the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages defined by the print job is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the contents of the contract set in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus starts printing, and thereafter determines whether the number of printed pages has reached the number of printable pages printable in the offline state.

According to the sixth aspect, the main body memory may store contract information indicating the contents of a contract and additionally indicating whether the image forming apparatus is currently capable of printing.

According to the ninth aspect, the controller may determine whether the number of printed pages is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages defined by the second upper limit information when the image forming apparatus is in the offline state. Here, the number of printed pages is counted each time the print processing is performed on one sheet of paper. Whether printing is duplex printing or simplex printing, after performing print processing on one sheet of paper, the image forming apparatus may determine whether performing printing on one sheet results in the number of printed pages reaching a second upper limit number of pages indicating an upper limit of the number of pages printable by the image forming apparatus in an offline state.

Therefore, for example, even if more than one page will reach the second upper limit number of pages, the image forming apparatus does not determine whether the second upper limit number of pages is reached after printing only one side of one sheet and before printing the other side of the sheet. In other words, the image forming apparatus is not determined to reach the second upper limit number of pages while printing one sheet in duplex printing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can manage the number of printed pages during the offline state without losing user's convenience as much as possible.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic arrangement of an image forming apparatus, ink cartridges, and a server according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the connection monitoring process.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the term renewal process.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the print association processing according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first printing availability determination process according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of print association processing according to a modification.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second print availability determination processing according to the modification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

< first embodiment >

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 6. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to use a consumable or an exchangeable part dedicated to a contract made between a user of the image forming apparatus and a service provider. That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus to which a subscription service can be applied.

Hereinafter, as long as there is no particular description to the contrary, it will be assumed that the subscription service has been applied to the image forming apparatus 1 (i.e., a contract has been made). Further, in the following description, various expendables or replaceable parts (for example, the ink cartridge 4 described later) attachable to the image forming apparatus 1 are assumed to be those exclusive to the contract as long as there is a particular description to the contrary.

Further, in the present embodiment, an inkjet printer will be described as one example of an image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a printer of another type than an inkjet printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes, for example, a laser printer.

< overall Structure of image Forming apparatus >

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. For convenience, in the following description, the upper side in fig. 1 corresponds to the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1, the lower side in fig. 1 corresponds to the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1, the left side in fig. 1 corresponds to the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the right side in fig. 1 corresponds to the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

The image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer configured to perform printing on a print sheet P by ejecting ink droplets according to data. One or more ink cartridges are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Incidentally, in addition to the components depicted in fig. 1, a display portion constituted by a liquid crystal display or a lamp, and an input portion (such as a button) may be provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The liquid crystal display may be integrated with the touch panel, and thus may be used as an input portion.

In the example illustrated in fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet supply tray 20, a sheet supply portion 2, a conveying roller 60, a recording portion 3, a discharge roller 62, and a discharge tray 30. An opening is formed in a front surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet supply tray 20 is movably disposed in the opening so as to be movable in the front/rear direction. A large number of stacked printing sheets P are accommodated in the sheet supply tray 20. For example, the print sheet has a prescribed size. The printing sheet P is not limited to a paper medium. For example, the print sheet P may be a medium made of a resin material (e.g., an OHP sheet).

The sheet feeding portion 2 is constituted by a sheet feeding roller 21, a sheet feeding arm 22, and a shaft 23. The sheet feeding section 2 operates in such a manner that the forward rotation of the sheet feeding roller 21 feeds the printing paper P accommodated in the sheet feeding tray 20 into the conveying path R. The sheet feeding roller 21 is rotatably provided at one head end (tip end) of the sheet feeding arm 22. The sheet feed arm 22 is pivotally movably provided on one end portion of a shaft 23 supported on the frame of the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet feeding arm 22 pivotally moves toward the sheet feeding tray 20, and pushes the sheet feeding tray 20 by its own weight or by an elastic force of a spring or the like. The driving force is generated by reversible rotation of a motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and transmitted to the sheet feeding roller 21, thereby causing forward rotation of the sheet feeding roller 21.

The conveyance path R is a space formed by the

guide members

51, 52, the recording portion 3, and the

other guide members

53, 54.

The feed roller 60 is disposed upstream of the recording portion 3 in the conveying direction. The pinch roller 61 is disposed opposite to the lower portion of the feed roller 60. The feed roller 60 is rotated by a driving force generated by a motor of the image forming apparatus 1. The pinch roller 61 rotates with the rotation of the feed roller 60. The forward rotation of the feed roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 (forward rotation of the feed roller 60 and subsequent rotation of the pinch roller 61) moves the printing paper P on the conveying path R toward the image recording position "x" while holding the printing paper P between the feed roller 60 and the pinch roller 61. The image recording position "x" is a position where image recording is performed on the printing paper P. The feed roller 60 is rotated in the forward direction by the transmission of the driving force generated by the forward rotation of the motor of the image forming apparatus 1, and the feed roller 60 is rotated in the reverse direction by the transmission of the driving force generated by the reverse rotation of the motor of the image forming apparatus. Incidentally, the forward rotation of the motor of the image forming apparatus 1 corresponds to the first direction, and the reverse rotation of the motor of the image forming apparatus corresponds to the second direction.

The recording portion 3 is provided between both the feed roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 in the conveying path R. The recording portion 3 includes a carriage 31, a recording head 32, a plurality of nozzles 33, and a platen 34. Each nozzle 33 is fluidly connected to an associated cartridge 4. Note that the number of nozzles and ink cartridges 4 is not particularly limited.

The ink cartridge 4 has a cartridge case. The cartridge case is attachable to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The ink cartridges 4 contain inks of different colors as materials for image formation (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), respectively. Ink is a consumable consumed when printing is performed.

The carriage 31 is configured to be reciprocally movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction (i.e., in the width direction of the printing paper P). In image recording on the printing paper P, the image forming apparatus 1 performs recording of an image for one line on the printing paper P by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles 33 of the recording head 32 while moving the carriage 31 in the width direction of the printing paper P. Printing is performed in a state where the conveyance of the printing paper P is stopped. As a process of starting new line printing, the image forming apparatus 1 feeds the printing paper P by a prescribed amount by driving the feed roller 60 and the discharge roller 62. The image forming apparatus 1 repeats the process of recording and the process of starting new line printing alternately.

As shown in fig. 1, the recording head 32 is mounted on the carriage 1. A plurality of nozzles 33 are formed in the lower surface of the recording head 32. The recording head 32 operates to eject ink droplets from the nozzles 33. The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-like member on which the printing paper P is supported. During movement of the carriage 31 relative to the printing paper P supported on the platen 34, ink droplets are selectively ejected by the recording head 32 to record an image on the printing paper P.

The discharge roller 62 is disposed downstream of the recording portion 3 in the conveying direction. The toothed plate 63 is disposed opposite to the upper portion of the discharge roller 62. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a motor provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The toothed plate 63 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. The forward rotation of the discharge roller 62 and the toothed disc 63 (the rotation of the discharge roller 62 and the subsequent rotation of the toothed disc 63) discharges the printing paper P onto the discharge tray 30 while holding the printing paper P between the discharge roller 62 and the toothed disc 63.

The discharge tray 30 is disposed above the sheet feeding tray 20. The discharge tray 30 supports the printing paper P discharged by the discharge rollers 62.

< internal Structure of image Forming apparatus, ink Cartridge 4, and Server 9>

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, the ink cartridge 4, and the server 9 according to the present embodiment.

< ink Cartridge >

The ink cartridge 4 has an ink reservoir 42 (an example of a first reservoir). Data may be read from and written to the ink reservoir 42. A flash ROM or EEPROM (registered trademark) is an example of the ink storage 42.

The ink storage 42 has a first area 421, a second area 422, and a third area 423 for storing information about the ink cartridge. The first area 421 stores an ink ID. The second area 422 stores ink type information. The third region 423 stores ink service life information. The third area may be a data rewritable area. Incidentally, the ink ID and the ink service life information are not essential information in the present disclosure.

The ink ID is a serial number uniquely assigned to each ink cartridge 4, for example, to distinguish from other ink cartridges. The ink type information indicates the contract-dedicated ink cartridge 4 or the normal type ink cartridge 4. The "contract-dedicated cartridge" refers to an ink cartridge supplied from a service provider to a user with whom a contract has been made with respect to an image forming apparatus with this effect. On the other hand, the "common type ink cartridge" refers to an ink cartridge other than the contract-dedicated cartridge. For example, a general type of ink cartridge is sold in the general market. The ink service life information refers to information on the amount of ink remaining.

The main part of the image forming apparatus has a connector 101. When the ink cartridge 4 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the connector 101 is in electrical contact with the ink reservoir 42, so that the controller 80 of the image forming apparatus 1 can communicate with the ink reservoir 42 of the ink cartridge 4.

< image Forming apparatus 1>

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 80, a communication section 81, and a main body memory 82. The controller 80 has, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The controller 80 is electrically connected to both a main body memory 82 and a communication section 81 provided in the main portion of the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 80 executes various processes, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 1 to execute various processes associated with printing. The controller 80 may control the sheet supply portion 2, the conveying roller 60, the recording portion 3, and the discharge roller 62 to perform a printing operation.

Incidentally, the controller 80 may have a processor, such as a CPU. In this case, a control program is stored in the main body memory 82 for implementing the method of image formation control. The processor operates according to the control program, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 1 to perform various processes.

The controller 80 may have a computer-readable storage medium for storing a control program. As such a storage medium, a "tangible medium of a type that stores data non-temporarily", such as a ROM (read only memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, may be used. In other words, the controller 80 has a non-transitory storage medium that stores a set of program instructions installed on the controller 80 and executed by the controller 80. A RAM (random access memory) may also be used in developing the control program therein. The control program may be supplied to the computer through an arbitrarily selected transmission medium (communication network or broadcast wave) capable of transferring the control program. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the transmission of the control program may be implemented by means of an electronic transmission of the control program by means of a data signal superimposed on a carrier.

When the ink cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the ink cartridge 4 is electrically connected to the controller 80 as shown in fig. 2, thereby allowing the controller 80 to perform an information retrieval process to retrieve information from the ink memory 42, and also perform an information writing process (including an overwriting process).

The main body memory 82 is a memory from which information can be read and in which information can be written. The main body memory 82 is constituted by, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark). The main body memory 82 has an area 821 for storing ink information, an area 822 for storing a printer ID, an area 823 for storing contract information, an area 824 for storing first upper limit information, an area 823 for storing second upper limit information, an area 826 for storing a first page number counter, and an area 827 for storing a second page number counter.

The ink information includes association information regarding each of the ink cartridges 4 in association with the ink ID, the ink type information, and the ink service life information read from the ink storage 42 of the ink cartridge 4.

The printer ID is discrimination information for discriminating the image forming apparatus from other image forming apparatuses. For example, a serial number assigned to each image forming apparatus is used as a printer ID.

The contract information indicates the content of the contract of the image forming apparatus 1. More specifically, the contract information indicates whether the image forming apparatus 1 is under contract or not under contract (the ordinary image forming apparatus 1). According to the present embodiment, the contract information indicates whether the image forming apparatus 1 is set to the contract mode or the image forming apparatus 1 is set to the normal mode. Note that the contract mode indicates that the image forming apparatus 1 is in contract, and the normal mode indicates that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in contract. In the case where the user of the image forming apparatus 1 changes the content of the contract, the contract information may be rewritten to new content via the server 9.

According to the present embodiment, the contract information indicates that the image forming apparatus 1 is in the contract mode or in the normal mode. In the contract mode, the contract information also indicates whether printing can be performed in an offline state or printing cannot be performed in an offline state. When the image forming apparatus 1 is in the contract mode, the image forming apparatus 1 can use not only the contract-dedicated cartridge but also a general type cartridge. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal mode, the image forming apparatus 1 cannot use the contract-dedicated cartridge, but can use a normal type cartridge.

The contract pattern can be varied. For example, the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information and the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the second upper limit information may be increased or decreased according to the kind of contract pattern. The first upper limit information and the second upper limit information will be described later. For example, the "first contract mode" and the "second contract mode" may be defined as those such that the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information and the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the second upper limit information of the "first contract mode" are larger than the "second contract mode". Further, when the contract mode is set to the image forming apparatus 1, the contract information may also include information on the kind of the contract mode.

More specifically, according to the present embodiment, the contract information indicates any one of "contract mode", "contract mode and offline print stop", and "normal mode". The "contract mode" indicates a mode in which the image forming apparatus 1 is under contract and printing can be performed using a contract-dedicated cartridge. "contract mode and offline print stop" indicate a mode in which the image forming apparatus 1 is under contract, printing can be performed using a contract-dedicated cartridge, and further printing cannot be performed in an offline state. The "normal mode" indicates a mode in which no contract is made with the image forming apparatus 1, or contract-dedicated consumables or replaceable parts cannot be used. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the main body memory 82 can store contract information indicating the content of the contract, and further indicating whether the image forming apparatus 1 is currently capable of printing.

The first upper limit information represents information indicating the number of printable pages determined according to the kind of contract pattern. More specifically, the first upper limit information indicates an upper limit of the number of pages that the image forming apparatus 1 can print during the time period determined in the contract. The "time period determined in the contract" is not limited to a specific duration. The duration may be, for example, one month. When the content of the contract (i.e., contract mode) of the image forming apparatus 1 is changed, the first upper limit information may be rewritten via the server 9. Hereinafter, the upper limit of the number of pages indicated by the first upper limit information may be referred to as "first upper limit number of pages".

When the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal mode, the upper limit of the number of pages indicated by the first upper limit information may be set to none (unlimited) or maximum. With such a setting, the image forming apparatus 1 operates in the normal mode, thereby enabling printing without limitation of the number of prints in the case of using the normal type ink cartridge 4.

The second upper limit information indicates an upper limit of the number of printable pages when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the offline state. More specifically, the second upper limit information indicates an upper limit of the number of pages that the image forming apparatus can print when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the offline state. Similar to the first upper limit information, when the content of the contract (the kind of contract mode) of the image forming apparatus 1 is changed, the second upper limit information may be rewritten via the server 9. When the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal mode, the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the second upper limit information may be set to none (unlimited) or maximum. With such a setting, the image forming apparatus 1 operates in the normal mode, thereby enabling printing without limitation of the number of prints in the case of using the normal type ink cartridge 4. Hereinafter, the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the second upper limit information may be referred to as "second upper limit number of pages".

Each of the first upper-limit number of pages and the second upper-limit number of pages is not limited to a specific value. However, it is desirable that the first upper limit number of pages be larger than the second upper limit number of pages.

The first page count counter is an example of total printed page count information. The first page number counter is a counter that counts the total number of printed pages regardless of the connection state in the network of the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the first page number counter counts the number of pages printed within a predetermined period of time determined in the contract of the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the count value counted by the first page count counter may be referred to as "first number of printed pages".

The second page count counter is an example of the printed page count information. The second page number counter counts the number of pages printed in the offline state. In other words, the second page count counter is information indicating the number of pages in the offline state. When the image forming apparatus 1 transitions from the offline state to the online state, the second page count counter is reset to the initial value. The initial value of the second page count counter is zero (0). Hereinafter, the count value in the second page count counter may be referred to as "second number of printed pages".

In addition to the above, the main body memory 82 may store, for example, information indicating the cumulative number of printed pages printed by the image forming apparatus 1.

The communication unit 81 is a communication interface for communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 9. The communication unit 81 outputs the request received from the server 9 to the controller 80. Here, the "request" is for requesting the image forming apparatus 1 to transmit the status data of the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 9. The communication unit 81 transmits the status data input from the controller 80 to the server 9. Here, "status data" refers to data relating to the operation status of the image forming apparatus 1, and contains at least printer discrimination information, and further includes at least one of the count value in the first page number counter and the cumulative number of printed pages printed by the image forming apparatus 1. In addition to the above, the status data may further include a count value of the second page count counter.

< Server 9>

The server 9 operates as a management apparatus that manages one or more image forming apparatuses 1. Although the server 9 is connected to only one image forming apparatus 1 in the example shown in fig. 1, the server 9 may be connected so as to be communicable with a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1.

The server 9 includes a server communication unit 91, a server memory 92, and a server control unit 93. The server communication unit 91 is a communication interface for communication between the server 9 and the image forming apparatus 1. The server communication unit 91 transmits a request input from the server control unit 93 to the image forming apparatus 1. The server communication unit 91 receives the status data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 in response to the request, and outputs the received status data to the server communication unit 91.

The server control unit 93 is a CPU (central processing unit) for performing overall control of the server 9. The server control unit 93 creates a request for requesting the image forming apparatus 1 to transmit the state data of the image forming apparatus 1 to the server 9 at a prescribed timing, and outputs the created request to the server communication unit 91.

Further, the server control unit 93 stores the status data received via the server communication unit 91 in the server memory 92. More specifically, the server control unit 93 stores the status data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 in the server memory 92 as printer information.

The server memory 92 is a storage device for storing data required for operating the server 9. The server memory 92 has an area 921 for storing printer information. The printer information is data including various information about the image forming apparatus 1 configured as a whole. The printer information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is stored separately on an apparatus basis. The printer information includes at least a printer ID, contract information, and status data. The printer information may additionally include, for example, a model number and a year/month/day of manufacture.

< flow of various treatments >

Next, the flow of various processes executed by the controller 80 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 6. The controller 80 of the image forming apparatus 1 executes the connection monitoring process when the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is in the ON state. The connection monitoring process is a process for monitoring whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 can be connected to a network.

In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the term renewal process every predetermined period of time. The term renewal process is a process for renewing or updating the contract term when the time period specified in the contract of the image forming apparatus 1 expires.

In response to a print job received through the input section, the image forming apparatus 1 executes print processing on the received input job. Hereinafter, the process performed from the reception of a print job until the end of printing corresponding to the received print job is sometimes referred to as "print-related process".

< connection monitoring processing >

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the connection monitoring process. First, the controller 80 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in an online state (S10). The online state is a state in which the communication section 81 of the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a network. On the other hand, the offline state is a state in which the communication unit 81 cannot connect to the network. In other words, the online state is a state in which the communication section 81 is communicably connected to the server communication section 91, and the offline state is a state in which the communication section 81 is not communicably connected to the server communication section 91.

When the controller 80 does not determine that the image forming apparatus 1 is in the online state (S10: no), that is, when the image forming apparatus is in the offline state, the controller 80 does not perform any specific process and waits until the time when the connection monitoring process is performed again.

On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is in the online state (S10: YES), the controller 80 resets the second page count counter stored in the main body memory 82 to zero (0) (S11: reset processing). Incidentally, in the case where the second page count counter has been zero (0), the controller 80 may omit the processing in S11.

Resetting the second page count counter at the time of the online state enables the controller 80 to count the print count from zero (0) in the offline state when the state of the image forming apparatus 1 changes to the offline state.

The timing at which the controller 80 executes the connection monitoring process and the interval at which the connection monitoring process is executed are not particularly limited. However, when the communication connection state of the image forming apparatus 1 is changed from the online state to the offline state or vice versa, it is desirable to perform the connection monitoring process at a relevant frequency that enables detection of the state of the communication connection without delay.

< deadline renewal treatment >

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the deadline renewal process.

The controller determines whether the processing of renewing the deadline has started (S20). The renewal term is initiated after the contractually specified term has expired and a subsequent term has begun. The controller 80 may determine that the term has newly started by, for example, recognizing the date and time by a timer (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, the controller 80 may determine that the term is newly started based on information on date and time supplied from the server 9 through the communication section 81.

When the controller 80 does not determine that the renewal period has started (S20: no), the controller 80 waits for the timing to execute the period renewal process again. On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the renewal period has started (S20: YES), the controller 80 resets the first page number counter stored in the main body memory 82 (S21).

< print-related processing >

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the print association processing. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of fig. 5 starts with reception of a print job by the image forming apparatus 1 operating as a trigger.

When receiving the print job, the controller 80 reads the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 (S30), whereby the controller 80 determines whether a condition that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print in the offline state is satisfied (S31). When the controller 80 determines that printing cannot be performed with the image forming apparatus 1 in the offline state (S31: yes), the controller 80 notifies the user that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot perform printing (S33). For example, the controller 80 displays a message notifying that printing is not possible on the display portion of the image forming apparatus 1.

As will be described in detail later, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the offline state, the process in fig. 5 repeatedly executes the first print availability determination process (S41). When the offline state is transitioned to the online state, the controller 80 exits the loop of the processing of S41 and updates the contract information so that the updated contract information indicates that the image forming apparatus 1 can perform printing (S416 in fig. 6 to be described later). In this way, when the print-related processing is started in the online state of the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 80 explicitly determines S31 to be no.

On the other hand, when the controller 80 does not determine that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print in the offline state (S31: NO), the controller 80 then reads the value of the first page number counter and the first upper limit number of pages stored in the main body memory 82. Then, the controller 80 determines whether or not the total value of the first number of print sheets and the number of print sheets defined in the print job to be executed is greater than or equal to a first upper limit number of sheets (S32: second determination processing).

The determination that the controller 80 made "yes" in S32 indicates that executing a print job defined in a print job intended to be executed from now on will result in reaching the first upper limit number of pages printable within the term specified in the contract of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, when the determination in S32 is yes, the controller 80 does not execute the subsequent printing process and notifies the user that printing cannot be performed using the display portion (S33).

The notification content when S31 is yes and the notification content when S32 is yes may be different from each other. For example, when the determination made in S31 is "yes", the controller 80 may display a message on "printing is not possible in the offline state" in the display section. On the other hand, when the determination made in S32 is "yes", the controller 80 may display a message in the display section about "printing is no longer possible because the upper limit number of pages printable within the contract term" will be reached.

On the other hand, the determination made by the controller 80 in S32 is "no" indicating that executing the print processing defined in the print job to be executed from now on will not reach the first upper limit number of pages printable within the term specified in the contract of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, when the determination made in S32 is "no", the controller 80 starts the print processing defined in the print job.

After the start of the print job, the controller 80 executes the processing in S35 to S43 every time a sheet of paper is printed. First, the controller 80 refers to the print job, and determines whether the print mode of one sheet to be printed from now on is duplex printing (S35). When the controller 80 determines that double-sided printing is to be performed (S35: yes), the controller 80 performs one-sheet printing in double-sided printing (S36), and increments the first page number counter of the main body memory 82 by 2 (two sheets of paper) (S37: increment processing).

On the other hand, when the controller 80 does not determine that double-sided printing is to be performed (S35: no), the controller 80 performs one-sheet printing in single-sided printing (S38), and increments the first number-of-sheets counter of the main body memory 82 by 1 (one sheet) (S39: increment processing).

Subsequently, the controller 80 confirms that the image forming apparatus 1 is in the offline state (S40). When the controller 80 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in the offline state (S40: no), that is, in the online state, the controller 80 performs the subsequent one-sheet printing. That is, the controller returns to S35 and repeatedly executes the relevant processing. When the controller 80 completes printing of all the pages defined in the print job, the controller 80 exits the print processing loop in S34 and ends the processing (S44).

On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is in the offline state (S40: YES), the controller 80 executes a first print availability determination process (S41). The first printing availability determination processing indicates determination processing for determining whether printing can be performed in an offline state. Details of the first printing availability determination process will be described later.

As a result of the printability determination, when the controller 80 determines that printing cannot be performed in an offline state (S42: yes), the controller 80 notifies the user that printing cannot be performed through a display portion or the like (S43). The notification content in S43 may be different from that in S33. Note that the processing executed in S43 is not essential. After executing S43, the controller 80 executes the first printing availability determination process again (S41). That is, the controller 80 interrupts printing and executes the loop of S41 to S43 until the second page count counter is reset in response to the offline state being changed to the online state (S11 in fig. 3).

In the case where the printing performed in S36 or S38 corresponds to the printing of the last sheet of paper defined in the print job, when the determination made in S42 is "yes", the processing proceeds to the loop in S41 to S43. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus 1 accepts a new print job, the print-related processing for the new print job is not started as long as the determination result in S41 indicates that printing can be performed in the offline state. By such processing, even if printing of all the sheets defined in the print job is completed in S36 or S38, printing of the next print job can be stopped.

On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that printing is possible as a result of the first print availability determination process (S42: no), the controller 80 performs printing of the subsequent sheet. That is, the controller 80 returns to S35 and repeatedly executes the processing S35 and the like. Incidentally, when the controller completes printing of all the pages defined in the print job, the controller exits the print processing loop in S34 and ends the processing.

< first printing availability determination processing >

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first printing availability determination process. First, the controller 80 reads the ink type information stored in the main body memory 82, so that the image forming apparatus 1 can recognize that any of the ink cartridges 4 attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is a contract-dedicated cartridge (S410).

When the controller 80 recognizes that at least one of the cassettes is the contract-specific cassette (S410: yes), the controller 80 increments the second page count counter by the same number as the number incremented in the first page count counter in S37 or S39 of fig. 5 (S411). More specifically, the controller 80 increments the second page count counter by 2 in the case of double-sided printing, and increments the second page count counter by 1 in the case of single-sided printing.

Subsequently, the controller 80 determines whether or not the second number of printed pages obtained by the addition in S411 is greater than or equal to the second upper limit number of pages (S412: first determination processing). When the controller 80 determines that the second number of printed pages is greater than or equal to the second upper limit number of pages (S412: yes), the controller 80 determines that printing in the offline state to be performed in S412 or the like cannot be performed (S413). The controller 80 updates the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 to the content that the contract is taking effect and the off-line printing is stopping (S414: print inhibition processing). In other words, the controller 80 prohibits the printing from being executed in step S412 or the like in the offline state. This can limit the number of pages that the image forming apparatus 1 can print in the offline state.

On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the second number of printed pages is less than the second upper limit number of pages (S412: NO), the controller 80 determines that printing in the offline state is possible (S415). The controller 80 updates the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 to "normal" (S416: print approval process). In other words, the controller 80 approves the printing in the offline state to be performed in S412 or the like. According to the present embodiment, the number of printed pages is counted each time a printing process is performed on one sheet of paper. Regardless of whether printing is double-sided printing or single-sided printing, after performing print processing on one sheet of paper, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether performing printing on one sheet results in the number of printed pages reaching a second upper limit page number indicating an upper limit of the number of pages printable by the image forming apparatus 1 in an offline state. Therefore, for example, even if more than one page will reach the second upper limit number of pages, the image forming apparatus 1 does not determine whether the second upper limit number of pages is reached after printing only one side of one sheet and before printing the other side of the sheet. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 is not determined to reach the second upper limit number of pages while printing one sheet in duplex printing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can manage the number of printed pages during the offline state without losing user's convenience as much as possible. According to the present embodiment, in a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is in an offline state, when the sum of the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages defined by a print job is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the contents of a contract set in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus 1 starts printing, and thereafter determines whether the number of printed pages has reached the number of printable pages printable in the offline state.

When the controller 80 does not determine that at least one ink cartridge is a contract-dedicated cartridge (S410: no), i.e., all cartridges are normal type cartridges, the controller 80 determines that printing is possible in the offline state (S415), and updates the contract information in the main body memory 82 to "normal" (S416). In other words, the controller 80 approves the printing in the offline state to be performed in S15 or the like. By so doing, even in the image forming apparatus 1 under contract, printing in an off-line state can be performed by replacing all cartridges with normal cartridges. Therefore, user friendliness can be enhanced.

< second embodiment >

Another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. For convenience of description, the members described in the above embodiments and members having the same functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

The image forming apparatus 1 may be a laser printer. In a laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1, a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge are attached to the image forming apparatus 1, instead of attaching the toner cartridge 4. Note that the number of each of the drum cartridges and the toner cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is not particularly limited. Further, the structure of each of the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge is not particularly limited.

For example, the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge may be separate cartridges. Alternatively, the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge may be integrally configured by attaching the toner cartridge to the drum cartridge. In a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the toner cartridge is inserted into the casing of the image forming apparatus 1 together with the drum cartridge.

For the case where the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are independent from each other, it is desirable that the structure of each of the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge is any one of the following three types.

One type may be configured in such a manner that the drum cartridge has a cartridge case in which the photosensitive drum, the drum memory, and the developing roller are disposed. The toner cartridge may have a cartridge case in which the toner storage is provided. The cartridge case of the toner cartridge accommodates toner therein. In the interior of the drum cartridge, the peripheral surface of the developing roller is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum, so that developer (i.e., toner) is deposited on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The toner deposited thereon is transferred to a sheet of paper by means of a transfer belt. The data indicated in the print job is thus printed.

The second type may be configured in such a manner that the photosensitive drum and the drum memory are disposed within the cartridge case of the drum cartridge. The developing roller may be provided within a cartridge case of the toner cartridge. In the interior of the drum cartridge, the peripheral surface of the developing roller is in contact with the outer surface of the photosensitive drum.

The third type may be configured to attach a developer cartridge having a developing roller separately from the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge. In this case, the drum cartridge includes a cartridge case, a photosensitive drum, and a drum memory. The toner cartridge has a cartridge housing and a toner storage. The cartridge case of the toner cartridge accommodates toner therein. In the third category, three cartridges (i.e., a drum cartridge, a toner cartridge, and a developing cartridge) are inserted into the main body.

The drum memory stores, for example, a drum ID, drum type information, and drum life information. The drum ID and the drum life information are not essential information in the present disclosure. The drum type information indicates whether the drum cartridge is a contract-dedicated drum cartridge or a normal drum cartridge.

The toner memory stores, for example, a toner ID, toner type information, and toner service life information. Note that the toner ID and the toner service life information are not essential information in the present disclosure. The type information indicates whether the toner cartridge is a contract-specific cartridge or a normal toner cartridge.

In a laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1, a main memory stores drum information and toner information instead of ink information. The drum information is information that associates the drum ID, the drum type information, and the drum service life information read from the drum memory of each drum cartridge. The toner information is information that associates the toner ID, the toner type information, and the toner service life information read from the toner memory of each toner cartridge.

Specifically, the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge may be an integral type cartridge such that the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are integrally configured. This integrated type cartridge includes a cartridge case, a photosensitive drum, a memory, and a developing roller. In the inside of the integral type cartridge, the peripheral surface of the developing roller is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The cartridge case of the integral type cartridge contains toner therein. The memory of the integral type cartridge stores various information stored in the above-described drum memory and toner memory.

The same applies to the process flows shown in fig. 3 to 6 for a laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, in a laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1, the word cartridge 4 appearing in fig. 3 to 6 may be replaced with a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge (or an integral type cartridge).

For a laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1, the ink storage 42 appearing in fig. 3 to 6 may be replaced with a drum storage and a toner storage. Further, in the laser printer implementing the image forming apparatus 1, the word ink type information appearing in fig. 3 to 6 may be replaced with drum type information and toner type information. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment takes the same effects as the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

In the first and second embodiments, when the image forming apparatus 1 enters the offline state, it can be determined whether the number of printed pages has reached the upper limit number of pages specified in the second upper limit information or more. Due to such determination, whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is performed with the image forming apparatus 1, it can be determined whether performing one-sheet printing results in reaching the upper printable limit number in the off-line state. In a modification, the main body memory 82 of the image forming apparatus 1 may store first upper limit information indicating an upper limit of the number of printable pages set in the image forming apparatus depending on the content of the contract, and total printed page number information indicating the total number of pages that the image forming apparatus 1 has printed. Further, the controller 80 may perform: a print process for printing one or more sheets according to a print job; increment processing for incrementing the total number-of-printed-pages information by 1 every time one-sided printing of one sheet is performed in the print processing, and incrementing the total number-of-printed-pages information by 2 every time one-sided printing of one sheet is performed; and a second print availability determination process for determining whether the number of printed sheets indicated by the total number of printed sheets information is greater than or equal to the upper limit number of sheets indicated by the first upper limit information after the incremental process is performed. In a further modification, the controller 80 may execute print inhibiting processing for inhibiting printing in the subsequent print processing in a case where the second print availability determination processing indicates that the total number of pages to print indicated by the total number of pages to print information is greater than or equal to a first upper limit number of pages to print indicated by the first upper limit information.

Next, a flow of processing executed by the controller 80 of the image forming apparatus according to one example of a modification will be described with reference to fig. 7 and 8. In the following description, the same steps as those described in the above-described embodiments are assigned the same reference numerals, and the description may be omitted.

< print-related processing >

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of print association processing according to one example of a modification. A series of processes shown in the flowchart of fig. 7 starts by receiving a print job by the image forming apparatus 1 operating as a trigger.

When receiving the print job, the controller 80 reads the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 (S30), and thus the controller 80 determines whether a condition that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot perform printing is satisfied (S51). More specifically, the controller 80 determines whether the number of printed pages has reached a first upper limit number of printable pages within a term specified in the contract for the image forming apparatus 1 or whether the number of printed pages has reached a second upper limit number which is the number of printable pages when the image forming apparatus 1 is in an offline state. When the controller 80 determines that printing with the image forming apparatus 1 is not possible (S51: YES), that is, when the number of printed pages has reached the first upper limit number or the second upper limit number, the controller notifies the user that printing with the image forming apparatus 1 is not possible (S52). For example, the controller 80 displays a message notifying that printing is not possible on the display portion of the image forming apparatus 1.

On the other hand, when the controller 80 does not determine that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print (S51: NO), i.e., when the number of printed pages has not reached the first upper limit number and the second upper limit number, the controller 80 performs the printing process defined in the print job (S34). Since the contents of steps S35 to S39 are the same as those of steps S35 to S39 in the above-described embodiment, the description of steps S35 to S39 is omitted.

After performing step S37 or S39 (increment processing), the controller 80 executes second printing availability determination processing (S60). The second printing availability determination processing indicates determination processing for determining whether printing is possible. Details of the second print availability process will be described later.

As a result of the second printability determination process of S60, when the controller 80 determines that printing cannot be performed (S61: yes), the controller 80 notifies the user that printing cannot be performed through the display portion or the like (S62). After step S62, the controller ends the processing. On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that printing is possible as a result of the second print availability determination (S61: NO), the controller executes steps S40 to S44. Since the contents of steps S40 to S44 are the same as those of steps S40 to S44 in the above-described embodiment, the description will be omitted.

< second printing availability Process >

Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the second print availability determination process of S80. When the second print availability determination process is started, first, the controller 80 reads the ink type information stored in the main body memory 82, so that the image forming apparatus 1 can recognize whether any of the ink cartridges 4 attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is a contract-dedicated cartridge (S610).

When the controller 80 recognizes that at least one of the cassettes is the contract-specific cassette (S610: yes), the controller 80 determines whether the first number of printed pages obtained by the addition in S37 or S39 of fig. 7 is greater than or equal to the first upper limit number of pages (S611). When the controller 80 determines that the first number of printed pages is greater than or equal to the first upper limit number of pages (S611: YES), the controller 80 determines that printing to be performed in S611 or the like cannot be performed (S612). Then, the controller 80 updates the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 to the content that the contract is in effect and printing is being stopped (S613: print inhibiting process). In other words, the controller 80 prohibits the printing from being executed in step S611 or the like.

On the other hand, when the controller 80 determines that the first number of printed pages is less than the first upper limit number of pages (S611: no), the controller 80 determines that printing is possible (S614), and updates the contract information stored in the main body memory 82 to "normal". In other words, the controller 80 approves the printing to be performed in S611 or the like.

When the controller 80 does not determine that at least one ink cartridge is a contract-dedicated cartridge (S610: no), i.e., when all cartridges are normal-type cartridges, the controller 80 determines that printing is possible (S614), and updates the contract information in the main body memory 82 to "normal".

< software implementation example >

The control blocks of the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 9 may be implemented by a logic circuit (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or by a software solution.

In the latter case, each of the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 9 includes a computer for executing a program command, which is software for implementing each function. Each of the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 9 includes, for example, one or more processors, and a storage medium readable by the computer that stores the program. In such a computer, the object of the present disclosure can be achieved by reading a program from a storage medium and executing the program by a processor. As such a processor, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) can be used. As the storage medium, for example, a "tangible medium without temporary data storage capability", such as a ROM (read only memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit, may be employed. Further, a RAM (random access memory) for developing the program may also be provided. The program may be supplied to the computer through an arbitrarily selected program-transmittable transmission medium (a communication network or a broadcast wave). In one example of the present disclosure, the provision of the program may be embodied in the form of a data signal, where the program is embedded in a carrier wave implemented by electronic transmission.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the claims. It is to be noted that further embodiments that can be obtained by combining the technical measures disclosed in the different embodiments are also within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[ list of reference symbols ]

1: image forming apparatus with a toner supply device

4: print cartridge (Box)

9: server (management device)

42: ink memory (first memory)

80: controller for controlling a motor

81: communication unit

82: main memory

91: server communication unit

93: server memory

93: server control unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

an interface configured to communicate with a network;

a main body memory configured to store therein:

first upper limit information indicating an upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to the contents of a contract set in the image forming apparatus;

second upper limit information indicating an upper limit of the number of printable pages that the image forming apparatus is allowed to print in a state where the image forming apparatus is in an offline state where the interface cannot be connected to the network; and

print page number information indicating the number of print pages printed by the image forming apparatus in the offline state; and

a controller configured to:

printing according to a printing job to print one or more sheets in the off-line state of the interface;

when printing one sheet, increasing the number of printed pages information by 1 in the case of printing one sheet of paper with single-sided printing, and increasing the number of printed pages information by 2 in the case of printing one sheet of paper with double-sided printing; and is

After the number-of-prints information is increased, it is determined whether the number-of-prints information is greater than or equal to a second upper limit number of prints.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where the controller determines that the number-of-printed-pages information is greater than or equal to the second upper limit number of pages, the controller subsequently prohibits printing in the offline state.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller resets the number-of-print-pages information to zero in a case where the state of the interface is changed from the offline state to an online state in which the interface is connected to the network.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a main body case formed with an opening through which one or more cartridges can be mounted in the main body case, each cartridge having a first memory in which type information is stored, the type information indicating which of the contract-dedicated cartridge and the normal cartridge the each cartridge is,

wherein the controller subsequently allows printing in the offline state in a case where the type information of all of the one or more cartridges mounted to the main body case indicates that all of the one or more cartridges are the normal cartridges.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main body memory stores total print page number information indicating a total print page number printed irrespective of a connection state of the interface and the network, and

wherein the controller is configured to:

determining whether a sum of the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages defined by the print job is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information; and is

Performing printing of the print job in a case where the sum of the total number of pages to print and the number of pages to print defined by the print job is smaller than the upper limit of the number of pages to print indicated by the first upper limit information.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main body memory stores contract information indicating the contents of the contract set for the image forming apparatus, the contract information indicating any one of: a first mode in which the image forming apparatus is in the contract and printing is permitted in the offline state; a second mode in which the image forming apparatus is in the contract and printing is not permitted in the offline state; and a third mode in which the image forming apparatus is not under the contract.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit configured to print on a sheet,

wherein, in the state in which the interface is in the offline state, the controller is configured to cause the printing unit to print.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to increase the number of printed pages information by 1 in a case where a sheet of paper is printed in single-sided printing and by 2 in a case where a sheet of paper is printed in duplex printing, each time one sheet is printed by the image forming apparatus.

9. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:

causing the image forming apparatus to print according to a print job to print one or more sheets in a state where the image forming apparatus is offline in which the image forming apparatus cannot be connected to a network;

when printing one sheet, adding 1 to the number-of-printed-sheets information in a case where the one sheet is printed in single-sided printing, and adding 2 to the number-of-printed-sheets information in a case where the one sheet is printed in double-sided printing, the number-of-printed-sheets information indicating the number of printed sheets printed in the offline state; and is

After the number-of-printed-page information is increased, it is determined whether the number-of-printed-page information is greater than or equal to an upper limit number of pages allowed to be printed by the image forming apparatus in the offline state.

10. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein every time one sheet is printed, the number-of-printed-sheets information is increased by 1 in a case where the one sheet is printed in single-sided printing, and the number-of-printed-sheets information is increased by 2 in a case where the one sheet is printed in double-sided printing.

11. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

an interface configured to communicate with a network;

a body memory configured to store therein:

first upper limit information indicating an upper limit of the number of printable pages defined according to contents of a contract set in the image forming apparatus; and

total printed page number information indicating the number of printed pages; and

a controller configured to:

printing according to the print job to print one or more sheets;

when printing one sheet, increasing the total number-of-printed-sheets information by 1 in a case where the one sheet is printed in single-sided printing, and increasing the total number-of-printed-sheets information by 2 in a case where the one sheet is printed in double-sided printing; and is

After the total number of printed pages information is increased, it is determined whether the total number of printed pages information is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable pages indicated by the first upper limit information.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein in a case where the controller determines that the total number of printed sheets is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the number of printable sheets indicated by the first upper limit information, the controller subsequently prohibits printing.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a printing unit configured to print on a sheet, wherein the controller is configured to cause the printing unit to print.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to increase the number-of-printed-sheets information by 1 in a case where one sheet is printed in single-sided printing and increase the number-of-printed-sheets information by 2 in a case where the one sheet is printed in double-sided printing, each time one sheet is printed.